Early intervention for adolescents with anorexia nervosa: Pilot evaluation of an outpatient group therapy prior to inpatient treatment

ObjectiveAn increasing demand for inpatient treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) during and after the Covid-19 pandemic contrasts with limited capacity and long waiting times. The current pilot study evaluated an outpatient group therapy (GT) as early intervention for adolescents with AN prior to inpatient treatment.MethodsSeventeen female adolescents who participated at the GT (intervention group, INT) were compared to 16 adolescents without GT (treatment-as-usual, TAU). BMI, eating disorder psychopathology and motivation of change (MoC) were assessed at three timepoints.ResultsComparing pre- versus post- group participation, we identified a significant increase of MoC and a trend towards a decreased AN-specific psychopathology. Comparing INT with TAU adolescents, we found a significant lower AN psychopathology at inpatient admission for the INT group and a trend for different BMI courses: While the BMI of the TAU group decreased during waiting time, the INT group did not show a decrease during GT resulting in a higher BMI at admission.ConclusionsResults of the current pilot study suggest positive effects of an early outpatient intervention in a group setting for adolescents with AN prior to inpatient treatment. Further research with larger sample sizes is necessary to validate the current pilot results. Outpatient group therapy (GT) for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) prior to inpatient treatment represents an early intervention and may improve the starting conditions of inpatient treatment. Motivation to change improves while participating in an outpatient GT prior to inpatient treatment for adolescents with AN. Adolescents with AN participating in GT show less weight loss from first outpatient contact to inpatient admission compared to TAU adolescents.